Panel 1: In
Universe A, back in March of 2023, things are going very badly in Iz
A's apartment. Iz A and Rose have both drunk spiked pop, which has
paralysed them, leaving them conscious but slumped helplessly on the
couch. Two people have entered the apartment: a blond man in a lab coat
and a woman in scrubs. The man grasps Rose by the neck and hauls her
upright as the woman kneels and seizes her arm. Iz B, the disembodied comatose Iz from Universe B, is listening in.
Iz A [thinks]: Can't...move...
Man: Okay, hurry up; we have only a few minutes before she can jump again.
Panel 2: Rose
has begun to cry. The man shoves her head to the side with a
contemptuous flick of his wrist. The woman, who has put on gloves, is
making ready to draw blood from Rose's arm.
Man: Fill six vials, and get a skin sample, a cheek swab, and some hair.
Woman: Got it.
Panel 3: The
man and woman move off frame, leaving Iz A weeping on the couch and
Rose keeled over on her side like a rag doll, her eyes wide, her
clothing torn, and her hair coming loose from the braid.
Man [off panel]: Thanks for the assist, Mr. Jones, and sorry about the paralysis. You'll be fine in half an hour.
Panel 4: Tears flow from Iz A's eyes.
Iz A [thinks]: Don't...think...I will.
Iz B: Ditto.
Alt-Text:
Well, this is the absolute worst.
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